Work furniture for sanitary applications, kitchen or the like

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an item of work furniture for sanitary applications, kitchens, or the like, for the defined arrangement of at least the following modules on a main body:a water supply module,at least one fitting module having a fitting that is connectable to the water supply module and/or to at least one water treatment module, and at least one drain module having a drain point for the at least one fitting of the fitting module and having a drain fitting, and at least the water treatment module is arranged interchangeably in the item of work furniture.

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C, § 120 based on German Patent Application DE 102019216408.0, filed on Oct. 24, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

The disclosure relates to an item of work furniture for sanitary applications, kitchens, or the like.

The disclosure furthermore relates to a method for providing an item of furniture and moreover to a device for planning a configuration of modules of an item of furniture.

Although the present disclosure is generally applicable to any work furniture, the present disclosure will be described with respect to a sink arrangement having a sink.

Sink arrangements of the known type have a worktop in which a sink basin is introduced into an opening in the worktop. A base cabinet is arranged underneath, which due to connections to the sink, i.e. water supply for a sink fitting, pipes, and a siphon for draining used water from the sink, offers little space for other components. Siphon and pipes require installation space below the sink in both the horizontal and also the vertical direction, so that the remaining installation space can only be used to a limited extent, for example by a pull-out waste container or the like.

A base cabinet is known from DE 103 05 311 A1, which accommodates various types of installations. For this purpose, the base cabinet has a cabinet body, which in turn is provided with a smaller inner housing. The installations are then partially arranged outside the inner housing.

A washing device having a dishwasher and a sink having a sink basin is known from DE 10 2009 003 015 A1 The dishwasher is predominantly arranged in a frame into which the sink basin protrudes from above.

Disadvantages of the known base cabinets are their complex assembly and lack of flexibility with regard to other or further future components. In addition, a large amount of installation space is required.

One object of the present disclosure is therefore to provide an item of work furniture, a method for providing an item of work furniture, and a device for planning a configuration of modules of an item of work furniture, which have simpler planning and subsequent assembly and at the same time a high degree of flexibility both with regard to the type of components to be used as well as with regard to their configuration and also with regard to possible future expansions.

A further object of the present disclosure is to provide an alternative item of furniture, an alternative method for providing an item of work furniture, and an alternative device for planning a configuration of modules of an item of work furniture.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure achieves the above-mentioned objects with an item of work furniture for sanitary applications, kitchens, or the like, for the defined arrangement of at least the following modules on a main body:

a water supply module, at least one fitting module having a fitting that is connectable to the water supply module and/or to at least one water treatment module, and at least one drain module having a drain point for the at least one fitting of the fitting module and having a drain fitting, wherein at least the water treatment module is arranged interchangeably in the item of work furniture.

In a further embodiment, the present disclosure achieves the above-mentioned objects with a method for providing an item of work furniture, comprising the following steps

-   -   providing a main body and forming the main body for the defined         arrangement of modules,     -   providing a water supply module,     -   providing at least one water treatment module,     -   providing at least one fitting module having a fitting that is         connectable to the water supply module and/or the water         treatment module,     -   providing at least one drain module having a drain point for the         at least one fitting of the fitting module and having a drain         fitting, and     -   arranging the modules on the main body, wherein at least the         water treatment module is arranged interchangeably in the item         of work furniture.

In a further embodiment, the present disclosure achieves the above-mentioned objects with a device for planning a configuration of modules of work furniture, comprising

-   -   a display device for the visual display of at least one module         and one main body,     -   an input device for changing a configuration and/or for         selecting one or more modules, and     -   a computing device for checking and/or adapting and/or providing         proposals for a configuration of the main body and at least one         module.

One of the advantages achieved in this way is that an extremely flexible, space-efficient arrangement of different modules can be planned and the modules can then be assembled in the arrangement. In addition, the customer is given a high quality impression, in particular due to the stringent arrangement of the modules.

The term “interchangeable” or “interchangeability” with respect to the term “module” is to be understood in the broadest sense and relates, in particular in the description, preferably in the claims, to a change of a module that forms a structural unit made up of several components to provide a specific function, for example filtering, concentrate supply, heating, or the like. The term “interchangeable” or “interchangeability” in particular does not mean the usual assembly or disassembly of components, in which, for example, a large number of screws and a large number of connections have to be loosened, in particular during the initial installation. The term “interchangeable” or “interchangeability” in particular also does not mean the replacement solely of consumption components, for example filters of a filter device, replacement of a juice concentrate storage container of a concentrate device, or the like. The term “interchangeable” or “interchangeability” is to be understood in particular as a quick, simple removal and/or installation/removal without, for example, having to loosen a large number of screws and a large number of connections and, for example, a large number of screws and a large number of connections having to be connected again upon further usage.

Further features, advantages, and further embodiments of the disclosure are described below or become apparent as a result.

According to one advantageous embodiment, the main body is adjustable at least in its height. This increases flexibility because, for example, the main body can be adapted to worktops of different heights or working heights of different kitchens.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the main body is designed to be separately height-adjustable on opposite sides in the vertical direction. The main body can thus be adjusted in terms of its height both in the lower base region and in the upper region near the worktop, which simplifies the assembly.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the main body and at least one, in particular all, modules are designed to be fixed on one another without tools, in particular by means of a clamping device and/or a releasable catch connection. The advantage of this is simple and quick assembly.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the main body has holding devices for horizontally introducing the modules, in particular inserting them, and/or at least one of the modules has a sliding and/or rolling element. One of the advantages thus achieved is that it ensures easy assembly and interchangeability.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, interfaces between two modules and/or between module and a connecting line are designed to be pluggable. This enables the modules to be assembled quickly and easily.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the main body can be divided horizontally into two regions by means of at least one vertical element. On the one hand, this improves the stability and, on the other hand, different regions for modules can thus be specified for a user, which facilitates the subsequent installation of modules.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, at least one of the modules has a handle device for removing the module from the item of work furniture. The advantage of this is easy ability to remove the modules, even for end customers.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, modules that are laterally horizontally detachably connected to the main body are larger than modules that are laterally adjacent to other modules. This enables larger modules to be reliably fixed on the main body.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the item of work furniture has a front region for access by a user and a rear region, wherein the modules can be introduced, in particular inserted, into the main body starting from the front region. In this way, at least partially, a rear wall can be fastened directly on the main body without this resulting in restrictions in the assembly of the modules.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the modules are designed so that they are detachably fixable on one another, in particular by means of a clamping device and/or releasable catch connection. This enables quick assembly and disassembly with more reliable fixing at the same time.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, at least one of the following modules is arranged:

-   -   at least one electronics module,     -   at least one storage module, in particular in the form of a         waste container,     -   a filter module for providing filtered water,     -   a carbonation module for providing carbonated water,     -   a warming and/or heating module for providing hot water,     -   a cooling water module for providing cooled water, a cooling         module for cooling at least part of the storage module,     -   a shredding module that is connected to the drain module and/or         the storage module,     -   an ionization module for ionizing water,     -   an enrichment module for enriching the water with at least one         substance, in particular mineral substance, flavoring substance,         colorant, or the like,     -   an additive module for adding concentrates, in particular fruit         juice concentrates or the like,     -   a light module for illuminating at least one of the other         modules.

One or more modules can be part of other modules in this case. For example, the carbonation module, the additive module, and/or the filter module can be part of the water treatment module. The advantage of this is that it provides a high degree of flexibility in the selection of modules.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the main body has a moisture-protested and/or water-protected region for accommodating the electronics module. This prevents moisture or water from negatively affecting the service life of the electronics module, for example if lines, pipes, or the like leak.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the moisture-protected and/or water-protected region is arranged in the base region of the main body. The advantage of this is that it can be provided in a simple manner in the main body.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the drain module comprises a drip tray and/or a basin as the drain point. In this way, for example, a tap or a sink basin is made available in the item of work furniture in a simple manner.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the filter module comprises at least one interchangeably arranged filter cartridge and/or the enrichment module comprises an interchangeably arranged substance cartridge and/or the additive module comprises at least one interchangeably arranged concentrate container. One of the advantages achieved with this is easy maintenance and refilling of the respective module.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the drain module comprises a substantially right-angled pipe run of at least one pipe, wherein this is formed vertically in the region of the rear side and horizontally in the region of the drain point of the drain module. The advantage of this is that a particularly space-saving arrangement of the drain module is provided.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the drain point is designed as a sink having a main body in the form of a base cabinet. A kitchen sink or the like can thus be provided in a particularly simple manner.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the water supply module and/or the drain module comprises several connections in a defined position. The advantage of this is a high degree of flexibility with respect to possible expansions and a simple connection of the respective modules or the lines by specifying defined fixing positions.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the drain of the drain point is arranged in the region of the rear side of the drain point and the main body. This eliminates the need for a complex and space-intensive arrangement of drain pipes in the middle of the drain point.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the main body is designed to provide at least two, in particular three, horizontal module introduction levels and at least two vertical module levels. The advantage of this is a high degree of flexibility with regard to the arrangement of different modules on or in the main body.

Further important features and advantages of the disclosure result from the dependent claims, from the drawings, and from the associated description of the figures on the basis of the drawings.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below are usable not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Preferred designs and embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein the same reference symbols refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components or elements.

In the figures:

FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional schematic view of an item of work furniture according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a three-dimensional schematic view of a section of the region of the rear side of an item of work furniture according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view of a part of a main body having a fixed module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows in schematic form a device for planning an item of work furniture according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5 shows steps of a method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional schematic view of an item of work furniture according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

An item of work furniture 1 is shown in detail in FIG. 1. A drain module having a sink basin as a drain point 5 for a fitting 4 a of a fitting module 4 is arranged in the surface of a main body 10 of the item of work furniture 1. The height of the main body 10 can be adjusted in steps in the upper region by a height adjustment device 11 a. Corresponding rows of holes, which are arranged in a semicircular or parabolic shape, for example, can be provided here to engage with corresponding elements. It is also conceivable to provide a continuous height adjustment device. Furthermore, the height of the main body 10 can also be adjusted in steps in its lower region 11 b. Alternatively, a continuous height adjustment can also be provided here instead. A water-protected and moisture-protected region 18 is arranged in the lower region or in the region of the base of the main body 10. This can be used to accommodate an electronics module, a power supply module, or the like, which are protected in this region against penetrating water, for example from line leaks or the like.

The main body 10 furthermore has lateral fixing devices in the form of clamping devices 13 for fixing modules 6, 8 on the main body 10. These are arranged at different heights and depths and provide different module insertion levels HE1, HE2, HE3, VE1, VE2. In addition, the modules 6, 7, 8 are also fixable on one another, i.e. the modules 6, 7, 8 do not necessarily have to be fixed on the main body 10. The modules 6, 7, 8 shown in FIG. 1 each have handles 17 in the region facing toward the front region 20 of the main body 10, which can be used on the one hand to remove the modules 6, 7, 8, on the other hand they can also be used to interchange storage containers or filters of the modules 6, 7, 8.

In addition, the modules 6, 7, 8 are designed such that they are adapted to the shape of the sink basin 5. A third module level HE3 is provided below the second module level HE2 with front module level VE1, comprising the modules 6, 7, 8, which are also arranged directly below the sink basin 5, In FIG. 1, the third row of modules HE3 is formed by a waste module 9, which is arranged in the main body 10 so that it can be pulled out, the first module level HE1 is formed in this case by the drain module having basin 5.

Not shown in FIG. 1 are a water supply module 2, partially the fitting module 4, and a water treatment module 3. These are at least partially arranged between the first visible front row of modules VE1, HE2 and the rear wall 21 of the main body 10. It is also not shown in FIG. 1 that the main body 10 together with the modules 6, 7, 8, 9 can be covered at the front in the usual manner by a front panel, kitchen front, or the like in order to visually integrate the main body 10 together with the modules into the surroundings of the item of work furniture 1.

FIG. 2 shows a three-dimensional schematic view of a section of the region of the rear side of an item of work furniture according to one embodiment of the present disclosure,

FIG. 2 shows in detail a water supply module 2 which is fixed on the main body 10. The water supply module 2 is connected to the fitting module 4 and here has five connections 19 a which are arranged on a frame and can be connected, for example, to a filter module or the like. Also shown is the region below the sink basin 5, which is connected to a space-saving siphon 5 b (pipe run 5′) via a drain pipe 5 a. The space-saving siphon 5 b also has multiple connections 19 b, so that, for example, a drip level having a separate drain can be connected directly to the space-saving siphon 5 b,

FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view of a part of a main body having a fixed module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

In FIG. 3 on the right, the main body 10 is shown in a side view with a clamping device 13. The main body 10 has horizontally extending slots 14 b which have a circular opening 14 c at one end. A corresponding protruding sliding or rolling element 15 can be inserted into this circular opening 14 c and fixed on the main body 10 by means of a clamping lever 16 after insertion.

FIG. 4 shows in schematic form a device for planning an item of work furniture according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

In FIG. 4, a computer 30 is shown in schematic form, which has planning software or a planning application for the planning, in particular the selection and arrangement of an item of work furniture 1. The dimensions, wishes of the customer with regard to material selection, shape, functionality of the item of work furniture 1 with regard to the provision of different types of preparation can be taken into consideration by means of corresponding modules 2, 3, 4, By means of keyboard 32 a and computer mouse 32 b of an input device 32, modules 2, 3, 4 . . . corresponding to specified dimensions and wishes of the customer can then be proposed by a computing unit 33 and a position for them can be proposed. If this is not absolutely necessary due to specified conditions, a customer can freely arrange them within the main body and thus individually choose his range of functions and the desired arrangement. A corresponding assembler can then quickly and easily assemble the item of work furniture 1 including the adapted main body 10 and selected modules 2, 3, 4, . . . on site and put it into operation on the basis of the plan of the planning software.

FIG. 5 shows steps of a method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows in detail the steps of a method for providing an item of work furniture according to the present disclosure. This comprises the following steps.

In a first step S1, a main body is provided and the main body is designed for the defined arrangement of modules.

In a further step S2, a water supply module is provided.

In a further step S3, at least one water treatment module is provided.

In a further step S4, at least one fitting module is provided having a fitting that can be connected to the water supply module and/or the water treatment module.

In a further step S5, at least one drain module is provided having a drain point for the at least one fitting of the fitting module and having a drain fitting of a drain for the at least one fitting of the fitting module, and in a last step S6, the modules are arranged on the main body, wherein at least the water treatment module is arranged interchangeably in the item of work furniture.

In summary, at least one of the embodiments of the disclosure has at least one of the following advantages:

-   -   Simple and inexpensive production.     -   High flexibility with regard to different types of modules and         their position within the main body.     -   High quality impression.     -   Space-efficient arrangement of different modules.

Although the present disclosure has been described on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments, it is not restricted thereto, but rather can be modified in many ways.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   -   1 item of work furniture     -   2 water supply module/module     -   3 water treatment module/module     -   4 fitting module/module     -   4 a fitting     -   5 drain module/drain point/sink basin/basin/module     -   5′ pipe run     -   5 a drain pipe/drain fitting/pipe     -   5 b space-saving siphon     -   6, 7, 8 module     -   9 waste module storage module     -   10 main body     -   11 a upper height adjustment/height adjustment device     -   11 b lower height adjustment     -   12 a upper side     -   12 b lower side     -   13 clamping device     -   14 a vertical oblong hole     -   14 b horizontal oblong hole/slot/holding device     -   14 c opening of oblong hole/holding device     -   15 sliding element     -   16 fixing lever/clamping lever     -   17 handle/handle device     -   18 water-protected region     -   19 a, 19 b connections     -   20 front side/front region     -   21 rear side     -   30 processor/computer     -   31 monitor     -   32 input device     -   32 a keyboard     -   32 b computer mouse     -   33 computing unit     -   B1, B2 region     -   S1 S2, S3, S4, S5, S6 method steps     -   HE1, HE2, HE3 horizontal module insertion level/module insertion         level/module level/row of modules

VE1, VE2 vertical module insertion level/module insertion level 

1-23. (canceled)
 24. An item of furniture comprising a main body and the following modules on the main body: a water supply module; a water treatment module; at least one fitting module having a fitting which is connectable to at least one of the water supply module and the water treatment module; and at least one drain module including a drain point for the at least one fitting of the fitting module, and a drain fitting; wherein at least the water treatment module is arranged interchangeably in the item of work furniture.
 25. The item of work furniture according to claim 24, wherein the main body comprises an adjustable height.
 26. The item of work furniture according to claim 25, wherein the height is adjustable on opposite sides of the main body.
 27. The item of work furniture according to claim 24, wherein the main body and at least one of the water supply module, water treatment module, fitting module and drain module are designed to be fixed to one another without tools.
 28. The item of work furniture according to claim 24, wherein the main body further comprises holding devices for horizontally introducing the modules.
 29. The item of work furniture according to claim 28, wherein at least two of the modules comprise pluggable interfaces for receiving a pluggable connecting line.
 30. The item of work furniture according to claim 24, wherein the main body comprises two horizontally divisible regions.
 31. The item of work furniture according to claim 24, wherein at least one of the modules comprises a handle device for removing the at least one module from the item of work furniture.
 32. The item of work furniture according to claim 24, wherein a first two of the modules are horizontally detachably connected to the main body, a second two of the modules are laterally adjacent to the first two of the modules, and the first two of the modules are larger than the second two of the modules.
 33. The item of work furniture according to claim 24, wherein the item of work furniture further comprises a front region for access by a user and a rear region and the modules can be introduced into the main body starting from the front region.
 34. The item of work furniture according to claim 24, wherein the modules can be releasably fixed on one another.
 35. The item of work furniture according to claim 24, further comprising at least one of the following modules: at least one electronics module, at least one storage module, a filter module for providing filtered water, a carbonation module for providing carbonated water, a heating module for providing hot water, a cooling water module for providing cooled water, a cooling module for cooling at least part of the storage module, a shredding module connected to at least one of the drain module and the storage module, an ionization module for ionizing water, an enrichment module for enriching water with at least one substance, an additive module for adding concentrates, and a light module for illuminating at least one of the other modules.
 36. The item of work furniture according to claim 24, wherein the main body further comprises a moisture-protected and/or water-protected region.
 37. The item of work furniture according to claim 36, wherein the moisture-protected region is arranged in a base region of the main body.
 38. The item of work furniture according to claim 24, wherein the drain module comprises at least one of a drip tray and a basin.
 39. The item of work furniture according to claim 35, wherein at least one of the filter module, the enrichment module, and the additive module comprises at least one interchangeably arranged cartridge or container.
 40. The item of work furniture according to claim 24, wherein the drain module comprises a pipe that includes a substantially right-angled pipe run having a vertical section in a rear side region and a horizontal section in a drain point region of the drain module.
 41. The item of work furniture according to claim 24, wherein the drain point is provided in a sink and the main body comprises a base cabinet.
 42. The item of work furniture according to claim 24, wherein at least one of the water supply module and the drain module comprises multiple connections.
 43. The item of work furniture according to claim 24, further comprising a drain arranged in a rear side region of the drain point and of the main body.
 44. The item of work furniture according to claim 24, wherein the main body comprises at least two horizontal module insertion levels and at least two vertical module levels.
 45. A method for providing an item of work furniture, comprising the following steps: providing a main body and designing the main body for a defined arrangement of modules; providing a water supply module; providing at least one water treatment module; providing at least one fitting module including a fitting which can be connected to at least one of the water supply module and the water treatment module; providing at least one drain module including a drain point for receiving the fitting module and a drain fitting for fitting the fitting module; and arranging the modules on the main body, wherein at least the water treatment module is interchangeably arranged in the item of work furniture.
 46. A device for planning a configuration of one or more modules of an item of work furniture, comprising; a display device for providing visual display of the one or more modules and a main body; an input device for changing a configuration of the one or modules and/or for selecting the one or more modules; and a computing device for at least one of checking, adapting, and providing proposals for a configuration of the main body and the one or more modules. 